Libraries Across the Education Continuum: Relationships Between Library Services at the University of Montana and Regional High Schools

Abstract

This study explores the library instructional programming and resources of high school library media centers in western Montana with the intent of documenting and understanding both the services provided to and the experiences of first-year college students at the University of Montana. Results from the survey (n = 22) and site visits (n = 10) reveal wide variation in the levels and types of library instructional programming provided at the library media centers, including media specialists’ perceptions of high school students’ information literacy skills. However, consistency was seen in the media specialists’ collection management strategies and in collection content. The results suggest implications for first-year library programming and highlight opportunities for further 9–16 collaboration and study.

KEYWORDS:

• first-year experience
• information literacy
• K–16 education
• library collections
• library instruction
• school library media specialists

Appreciation is extended to the University of Montana for financial research support.